Radiologic Technologist Salary in Detroit, MI
Radiologic Technologists in Detroit, MI earn a median of $45,000/year, ranging from $34,650 (25th percentile) to $72,000 (90th percentile). After Michigan state taxes (4.25%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 89), this is equivalent to $50,562 in purchasing power vs the US average.
On the ground in Detroit, MI
Imaging departments hiring rad techs include Henry Ford Health, Beaumont Health, and DMC Detroit Medical Center. Cost of living is reasonable compared to coastal metros, with Corktown, Ferndale, or out in Royal Oak usually offering one-bedrooms in the $1,100 to $1,500 range. Hospital shifts often run early or overnight, so commute timing in this metro matters more than peak rush figures suggest. Off-peak driving and I-75 and the Lodge define commutes, and transit is minimal are forgiving for techs working 5am or 11pm starts. Detroit's low cost of living goes a long way, though the local 2.4% city tax adds onto Michigan's flat 4.25%.
1Salary Distribution in Detroit, MI
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Detroit, MI Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI (current) | $45,000 | 89 | $50,562 |
| San Francisco, CA | $74,000 | 186 | $39,785 |
| New York, NY | $71,000 | 187 | $37,968 |
| Seattle, WA | $71,000 | 162 | $43,827 |
| Boston, MA | $65,000 | 162 | $40,123 |
| Austin, TX | $59,000 | 124 | $47,581 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Radiologic Technologist salary in Detroit, MI?
The median Radiologic Technologist salary in Detroit, MI is $45,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $34,650 and the 90th percentile is $72,000.
Is Detroit, MI a good place to work as a Radiologic Technologist?
Detroit, MI has a cost of living index of 89 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $45,000 Radiologic Technologist salary in Detroit, MI is equivalent to $50,562 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Detroit, MI?
Detroit, MI has a cost of living index of 89, meaning it is 11% less expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Michigan is approximately 4.25%.
What is the Radiologic Technologist salary range in Detroit, MI?
In Detroit, MI, Radiologic Technologists earn between $34,650 (25th percentile) and $72,000 (90th percentile), with a median of $45,000 per year.
How many Radiologic Technologist jobs are there in Detroit, MI?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 37,500 Radiologic Technologist positions in the Detroit, MI metropolitan area.
What do Radiologic Technologists earn in Detroit, MI?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Radiologic Technologists in Detroit, MI earn a median annual wage of $45,000. The middle 50% earn between $34,650 and $57,600. The top 10% earn more than $72,000. There are approximately 37,500 Radiologic Technologists employed in the Detroit, MI metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 2.8%.
Is Detroit, MI a good place for a Radiologic Technologist?
Detroit, MI has a cost of living index of 89 (US average = 100), making it 11% less expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Radiologic Technologist in Detroit, MI earning $45,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $50,562 relative to the US median. Michigan has a state income tax rate of approximately 4.25%.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Detroit, MI?
Detroit, MI's cost of living index is 89, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $45,000 in Detroit, MIhas the same purchasing power as $50,562 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Detroit, MI with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
5Should You Work as a Radiologic Technologist in Detroit, MI?
The headline median of $45,000 is only part of the picture. Detroit, MI's cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), meaning a dollar here goes further than in most of the country. The $45,000 salary has the purchasing power of roughly $50,562 at national-average prices — a real premium for moving to a lower-cost market.
Housing is the single biggest driver of cost-of-living differences between metros. In Detroit, MI, housing costs fall closer to the national average of 25–30% of gross income, leaving more room in the budget for savings, transportation, and discretionary spending. For a $45,000 salary, that translates to roughly $12,600/year on housing alone.
State tax plays a meaningful but smaller role. Michigan levies a state income tax of approximately 4.25%, which reduces take-home by roughly $1,913 per year on this salary. States with zero income tax (Texas, Florida, Washington, Tennessee, Nevada) offer a structural advantage, but often offset it with higher sales tax or property tax. After state tax and approximate federal FICA (~7.6%), the estimated take-home is $39,813. This excludes federal income tax, which varies by filing status and deductions.
For comparison, here are nearby alternatives: San Francisco, CA ($74,000 median, COL 186); New York, NY ($71,000 median, COL 187); Seattle, WA ($71,000 median, COL 162). If you're optimizing for purchasing power, compare the COL-adjusted column in the table above and pick the highest number. If you're optimizing for career progression, weight total employment and yearly growth in the role — larger markets offer more lateral moves and promotion velocity, even when nominal pay is lower.
The 2.8% year-over-year growth rate for Radiologic Technologists in Detroit, MI is a leading indicator of market health. A mature, slower-growth market — often higher-paid in absolute terms but with fewer open roles and slower lateral moves. For side-by-side comparisons, try the full city ranking for Radiologic Technologists or the Michigan state overview.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.